By Jenn Windrow

When December rolls in, many of us find ourselves standing in front of a tree, ready to transform it from an ordinary object into something warm, bright, and full of meaning. It’s a small act of yearly magic, and, surprisingly, it mirrors one of the most transformative processes in writing.

Developmental editing.

Much like decorating a holiday tree, shaping a manuscript is not about adding more and more until the branches bow under the weight. It’s about choosing intentionally, trimming thoughtfully, and arranging elements so the whole structure feels harmonious and complete. If you’ve ever wondered whether your draft needs a festive “trim,” this season offers the perfect metaphor.

1. Start With the Structure: The Tree Trunk and Branches

Every beautiful tree begins with a solid structure. Before ornaments, tinsel, or lights come into play, the first question is simple: Is the tree stable? In developmental editing, this is your plot and narrative framework.

Ask yourself:

Are the major story beats in place?
Do the branches (subplots, supporting arcs) extend naturally from the trunk (central conflict)?
Does the overall shape convey symmetry, intention, and direction?

If the answer is “not quite,” resist the urge to decorate prematurely. No amount of glittery prose or clever dialogue can compensate for a wobbly trunk or lopsided shape. Straighten what leans. Reinforce what weakens. Remove the branches that are redundant, unhealthy, or distracting. A strong narrative structure, like a sturdy tree sets the tone for everything that comes next.

2. Trim the Excess: Clearing Cluttered Branches

Real trees often grow unevenly. Some branches jut out too far; others crowd together so tightly they obscure the natural shape. Manuscripts, too, accumulate clutter—scenes that don’t move the story forward, subplots that go nowhere, characters who don’t serve a function, and exposition that spools endlessly.

Clutter happens to every writer. But revision is the season of intentional trimming.

Ask yourself:

• Does this scene reveal character, advance plot, or deepen theme?
• Is this subplot meaningfully connected to the main arc?
• Would the story lose anything if this character disappeared?
• Is this passage explaining something the reader already senses?

If you hesitate, the branch probably needs trimming.

Remember: trimming doesn’t diminish your story. It reveals it. Just as cutting away dense, unnecessary branches uncovers the natural beauty of a tree, removing narrative clutter allows your core story to breathe. Your draft becomes clearer, sharper, and easier for readers to navigate.

3. Add Light with Tension and Pacing

Once the excess is gone, it’s time to string the lights. Those glowing lines of energy that guide the eye and create warmth. In a manuscript, these lights take the form of tension and pacing.

Lights don’t simply wrap a tree; they guide a rhythm, creating bright spots and soft shadows. In the same way, tension should ebb and flow through your narrative, offering contrast and momentum. Good pacing invites readers to lean in, follow the current, and stay connected.

Consider:

• Are there stretches where tension drops for too long?
• Do the emotional highs feel earned and well-spaced?
• Does the story’s rhythm encourage readers to turn pages?

String your “lights” with care. Too few and the story feels dim. Too many and it becomes overwhelming. Balance is the goal.

4. Choose the Right Ornaments: Highlighting Themes and Emotional Beats

Now comes the fun part: decoration. Ornaments aren’t random. They’re symbolic, personal, and chosen with purpose. In your manuscript, the “ornaments” are thematic elements, motifs, and emotional beats you want to emphasize.

Themes become the standout ornaments, those meaningful pieces that catch the light and resonate. Motifs act as repeating accents, giving unity and cohesion. Emotional beats are the sentimental pieces. The ones that make readers stop and feel something.

But be selective. Not every ornament deserves a place on every tree. Too many, and the shape gets lost. Too few, and the story feels flat.

Identify the moments and ideas that matter most:

• What emotional truths sit at the heart of this story?
• Which symbolic elements reinforce the characters’ journeys?
• Where can a motif subtly echo a theme without overwhelming the scene?

Place these narrative ornaments with intention, and your story will sparkle with clarity and resonance.

5. Step Back and Admire the Whole

Finally, once the tree is fully decorated, you step back. You squint a little. You tilt your head. You look at the whole picture.

Developmental editing requires this same distance.

Read through with fresh eyes, asking:

• Does everything feel balanced?
• Does each element contribute to a cohesive whole?
• Does the story glow with its intended emotional and thematic impact?

A manuscript that has been trimmed, lit, and ornamented with purpose becomes something special. A story that shines not because of excess, but because of thoughtfulness.

This December, Give Your Draft the Gift of Intention

Just as we decorate trees to bring warmth and meaning to a cold season, developmental editing transforms your manuscript into something vibrant, cohesive, and deeply felt. So, this year, when you find yourself trimming your tree, let it be a reminder that your draft deserves the same care, clarity, and celebration.

Happy revising and may your stories shine bright.

About Jenn Windrow

Jenn Windrow once attempted to write a “normal” book—and promptly bored herself into a coma. So now she sticks to what she does best: writing snarky, kick-butt heroines, broody supernatural men, and more sexual tension than a vampire in a blood bank.

She’s the award-winning author of the Alexis Black novels and the Redeeming Cupid series, where the undead never sparkle and the drama is always delicious. Jenn moonlights as a developmental editor, helping other writers wrangle their wild plots and tangle-free prose.

When not arguing with her characters or muttering about Oxford commas, she can be found binge-watching trash TV, wrangling the slew of animals that live in her house (husband and teenagers included), or telling herself she’ll only have one more cookie.

You can find her at jennwindrow.com or lurking on social media where she pretends to be an extrovert.

Header image by Sabina Sturzu - Unsplash